Songwriter and actor Alan Thicke dies at 69

Alan Thicke has passed away at the age of 69

In latter years he was known to a younger generation as 'Robin Thicke's dad', but the Canadian actor, songwriter and TV host - who played the dad on '80s sitcom 'Growing Pains', amongst many other TV and film roles - had plenty of strings to his bow.

One of them was composing the theme songs for TV programmes including Diff'rent Strokes, the original Wheel of Fortune theme, The Facts of Life and more. He also made appearances on How I Met Your Mother as himself.

He reportedly suffered a heart attack while playing hockey with his son Carter yesterday, and passed away after being airlifted to hospital.

RIP